Top 5: Things to Do in Edinburgh This Summer

1. Spa in the City
St Andrew Square & West End; 23-24 & 30-31 May; more info.
Beauty lovers rejoice as Spa in the City is back for another year. This free event sees spas, salons and beauty counters setting up camp in St Andrew Square (the first weekend, with a smaller version taking place the following weekend outside House of Fraser in the West End) offering taster treatments, mini makeovers and tutorials on all things beauty. Make sure to head along early to sign up for your favourite treatments, then spend the day watching demos in the Beauty Heroes tent or taking part in cocktail masterclasses by Element Bar. I’m heading along on Saturday and I can’t wait!

2. Fully Fashioned at National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, EH1 1JF; until 16 August; more info.
The latest exhibition to open at the National Museum of Scotland, Fully Fashioned: The Pringle of Scotland Story explores the history of this famous knitwear fashion house. Celebrating their 200th anniversary, it’s quite amazing to think Pringle have been around for two centuries and the exhibition explores their role as one of the first luxury knitwear manufacturers in the world. There’s vintage knitwear galore and even a couple of pieces which belonged to Grace Kelly and Queen Elizabeth. Although this is a temporary exhibition, there are plans underway to open the Museum’s first permanent Fashion & Style gallery – keep an eye out for that soon!

3. Hidden Door Festival
Secret Courtyard, King’s Stables Road, EH1 2JY; 22-30 May; more info.
One of Edinburgh’s lesser known festivals, Hidden Door is the perfect place to discover some new talent and do something a little bit different. This year, Hidden Door is based in a secret courtyard just off the Grassmarket, and there’s plenty of music, theatre, cinema and visual art to get stuck into. The courtyard itself is set to be pretty impressive, with volunteers giving the abandoned space a huge makeover right now (expect lots of cool street art) and kitting it out with stages and bars. There’s also food and drink to enjoy from the likes of Harajuku Kitchen and Ninja Buns.

4. Film in the City
Grassmarket & St Andrew Square; 6-7 & 12-14 June; more info.
Spa in the City not really your thing? Try Film in the City instead! All the screenings are free, so just head along with a picnic blanket and some snacks and enjoy some classic movies. There are lots of different films on the schedule including Dirty Dancing, The Princess Bride and Mean Girls – yes please! STV Edinburgh has a timetable of everything being screened here, and look out for the Edinburgh International Film Festival which is on during June too.